Automatic controller for internal combustion engine starters



Sept. 3, 1935.

G. B. SAYRE AUTOMATIC CONTROLLER FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE STARTERS Filed Feb. 17, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 "IIIIITIIIII'F WITNESS INVENTDR BY 6mg 4 may,

ATIURNETS Sept. 3, 1935. G. B. 5mm: 2,013,189

AUTOMATIC CONTROLLER FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE STARTERS Filed Feb. 1'7, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 s AITQRNELYE Patented Sept. 3, 1935 PATENT OFFICE AUTOIA'I'IC CONTROLLER F COMBUSTION ENGINE STARTERS Gordon B. 8am, Syracuse, N. Y., alignmto 'Bemowcn Corporati York on, a corporation of New Application February 11, 1932, Serial at 593,521 :2 Claims. (01. zoo-s7) the ignition circuit of internal combustion engines.

Automatic controllers for starters oi the above type are made operative upon closing the ignition switch, whereupon the starting motor circuit is energized and the starting motor proceeds to crank the engine. A system of this type has the disadvantage in that should the operator of a motor vehicle thus equipped, turn on the ignition switch while the vehicle was in gear, the operator may lose control of the same due to the sudden and unexpected motion thereof.

The main object of this invention is to provide means in automatic controllers for internal combustion engine startersior rendering the starter inoperative while the vehicle thus equipped is in gear;

Another obect of this invention is to provide a means to cause the starter to-cranl; the engine should it stall after being properly started which is independent of the position of the gear shift lever or clutch pedal.

Other objects and advantages relate to details of the controller circuit and to the arrangement of the parts thereof, all as will more fully appear from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:-

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of an embodiment of my invention.

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of a modified form of 1m; invention.

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic illustration of a further modification of my invention.

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of a controller circuit of the semi-automatic type.

This invention may be applied to various types of automatic controller circuits. For instance, in Figure 1, the system employs a sub-atmospheric pressure relay that may be controlled by vacuum conditions in the engine intake manifold which, in conjunction with a current controlled relay in the starting motor circuit, provides the automatic control of the starting motor circuit.

More specifically in Figure 1, l designates the usual battery, one terminal oi which is grounded by wire 2. The other terminal may be connected to the ignition circuit by wire 3, ammeter 4, wire 5, ignition switch 6, wire I, ignition coil 9 and wires 9 leading to the distributor in the usual and well-known manner.

A starting motor circuit is provided comprising battery I, wire ll, holding coil l2, contact ll, switch member l4, contact, l5, wire l6, starting motor ll, wire It and return through ground to wire 2 back to battery i.

An electro-magnetic starting switch, generally designated by arrow l9, comprises contacts I; and I5 adapted to be bridged by switch member l4 which may be secured to armature 2i actuated in turn by coil 29. Armature 2i secured to switch member l4, normally holds the latter out of engagernent with contacts l3 and I5.

The energizing circuit for electro-magnetic switch l9 consists of two branches to be hereinafter respectively designated as primary and secondary circuits, Both circuits have a common portion starting with junction 22, wire 23, armature 24, contact 33, wire 34, junction 35, wire 38, coil 29 and junction 39. The primary circuit continues by way of wire 40 to normally closed contacts 4i and 42 of vacuum relay 4 3, in this instance, connected to the intake manifold 46 of the internal combustion engine and which is grounded through wire 41.

Vacuum relay 43, as shown, comprises 2. diaphragm 45 mounted within a suitable-casing and normally springrpressed by spring 53 against contact arm 44 upon which is mounted contact 42. Contact arm 44 is secured at one end to the relay casing and, normally upon the removal of the force exerted thereon by diaphragm 45,'maintains contacts 4| and 42 out of engagement. The secondary circuit continues from junction 39 by way of wire 48, contact 49, armature 50 and wire 52 to ground.

A spring 5| normally holds armature 50 out of engagement with contact 49. Holding coil l2, armature 59 and contact 49 constitute a current control relay for opening and closing the secondary circuit in accordance with current conditions in the starting motor circuit. The initial energization of coil 20 of switch 19 is controlled by ignition switch 6 and the control relay constituted by armature 24, contact 33 and the two holding coils 2 and 36.

Armature 24 is normally held out of contact with contact 33 by a spring 32. Holding coil 26 may be energized to produce a magnetic pull upon armature 24 thereby overcoming the tension of spring 32 to efiect the closing of armature 24 and contact 33. The circuit for coil 26 is obtained from wire 23, junction 25, coil 26, wire 21, switch 28 and wire 29 to ground.

Switch 28 is, in this instance, shown to be connected by means of a suitable operating rod 30 to the clutch pedal 3| of the motor vehicle. The

' control system or switch 23 is so constructed that when clutch pedal 3| is in the clutch-engaged position, switch 23 will be opened and when clutch pedal 3| is depressed to disengage the clutch, switch 26 will be closed, causing the. energization of coil 26, which immediately attracts armature 24 to close the primary energizing circuit of coil 23.

It is not necessary to maintain clutch pedal 3| in the depressed position since upon the closing or armature 24 with contact 33, current will flow through wire 34, junction 35, auxiliary holding coil 36, wire 31 to ground which maintains armature 24 and contact 33 in the closed pos tion until the circuit is broken by the opening of ignition switch 6.

The operation of the system is as follows: Upon closing ignition switch 6, current will flow from battery'l through wire 3, ammeter 4, wire 5, switch 6, wire I, coil 6 and to the distributor not shown, by way of wires 3 and return through ground to battery I. Clutch pedal 3| is then depressed, closing switch 23, whereupon current will flow from battery I through wire 3, ammeter 4, wire 5, switch 6, junction 22, wire 23, junction 25, holding coil 26, wire 21, switch 26, wire 23 through ground and back to battery I through wire 2. Coil 26 being thus energized, attracts armature 24, causing the same to contact with contact 33 thereby allowing current to flow through wire 34;..coil 36 and wire 31 to ground. Coil 36 being in parallel with coil 26, may now take up the function of maintaining armature 24 and contact 33 closed, and clutch pedal 3| may be released to open switch 23.

The closing of armature 24 and contact 33 will also permit current to flow from junction 35 through wire 33, coil 23, junction 36, wire 43, contacts 4| and 42 or vacuum relay 43 and to ground by way of wire 41. The energization oi coil 23 closes switch l9 by bridg ng contacts l3 and I5 with switch member l4. Current will then flow from battery I through junction I3, wire ll, holding coil l2, contacts l3 and I 5, wire I6, starting motor Il, wire l6 through ground and back to battery I through wire 2.

Starting motor II which may be mechanically connected to the internal combustion engine not shown, in any usual or well-known manner, then proceeds to crank the same. As the engine starts rotating, a partial vacuum is created within manifold 46 thereby withdrawing diaphragm 45 or vacuum relay 43 which allows contacts 4! and 42 to open, thus breaking the primary energizing circuit. Relay coil 23, however, does not become de-energized since the starting motor current drawn through holding coil l2 attracts armature 53 to eilect closing of the secondary energizing circuit through coil 23 from junction 39, wire 43, contact 49, armature 53 and wire 52 to ground.

Starting motor I! proceeds to crank the engine until it starts, whereupon the current drawn through holding coil l2 will decrease due to starting motor I! being relieved of cranking the engine.

Upon a substantial decrease of the starting motor current, armature 53 is withdrawn from contact 49 by spring 5| and the energizing circuit to coil 23 is broken, allowing starting motor switch I! to open. In the event, the engine stalls, substantially atmospheric pressure conditions are restored in manifold 46, and contacts 4| and 42 are closed by the action of spring 63 against diaphragm-45 thus closing the primary energizing circuit for coil 23, and the starting operation is repeated.

A modified form of controller circuit is shown in Figure 2. However, the general arrangement, as shown in Figure 1 has been retained, and in order to avoid unnecessary repetition, like characters of reference will be applied to like circuits and parts. The ignition circuit is the same as previously described.

The starting motor circuit remains unchanged, with the exception that holding coil I2 has been omitted from line ll. Only one energizing circuit is provided for coil 23 of electromagnetic switch H which is controlled by a relay actuated in accordance with the generated voltage or the battery charging generator instead of the vacuum relay previously described.

The initial energization of coil 23 is, in this instance, also controlled by ignition switch 6 and a control relay comprising armature 24, contact 33 and holding coils 26 and 36. The clutch pedal controlled switch 28 is used in the same arrangement as previously described.

From coil 23, the energizing circuit thereof continues through wire 54, contact 55, armature 56 and wire 56 to ground. Armature 56 and contact 55 are normally held closed by coil springs 51 secured to armature 56. Holding coil 63 having one end connected to the ungrounded side of battery charging generator 62 and the other end grounded through wire 6|, in conjunction with armature 56 and contact 56, constitutes a control relay actuated in accordance with voltage changes of the battery charging generator driven mechanically by the internal combustion engine.

A battery charging circuit is also shown comprising wire 64 leading from the ungrounded side of generator 62 through the usual battery charging cut-out or relay generally designated as 65, wire 66, junction 61, ammeter 4, wire 3, battery I, wire 2, through ground and return to generator 62 by wire 63.

The operation of the modified system is as follows: Upon closing ignition switch 6, the ignition circuit is energized, as previously described, in connection with Figure 1. Current will not flow, however, in the energizing circuit of switch l9 until contact is made between armature 24 and contact 33. As soon as clutch pedal 3| is depressed, switch 26 will be closed, causing current to flow through wire 23, junction 25, holding coil 26, wire 21, switch 26 and wire 23 to ground.

Coil 26 attracts armature 24, closing the same with contact 33 which completes the circuit through wire 34, junction 35, holding coil 36 through wire 31 to ground. Clutch pedal 3l can now be releasedand switch 23 opened, since coil 36 maintains armature 24 and contact 33 in engagement. Current is now free to flow from junction 35, wire 36, coil 23, wire 54, contact 55, armature 56 and wire 56 to ground. Coil 26 being energized, closes switch l9 and current from battery l flows through wire II, contacts l3 and I5, wire l6, starting motor 11, wire l6 to ground, through ground and back to battery I.

Starting motor I! then proceeds to crank the engine until it starts. As soon as the engine starts rotating, generator 62 starts building up its voltage. The building up process, however, is not instantaneous and the engine will have suflicient time to start before the voltage generated is high enough to cause suflicient current to flow through holding coil 63 to release armature 53 from the closed position. Then as the engine gets under way, current through coil 63 increases to such an extent, that the pull of the coil overcomes the tension of spring 81, allowing the energizing circuit of coil 28 to be opened, whereupon switch I8 is opened and the starting motor ll ceases to operate.

Should the internal combustion engine stall, the voltage of generator 82 would drop to zero, causing coil 88 to become de-energiaed and allowing armature 88 to engage contact 88, again closing the energizing circuit through coil 28 and repeating the starting operation. If the engine fails to start, all energizing circuits may be broken to stop the cranking operation by opening ignition switch 8.

In Figure 3 is shown a modiiled safety device intheformofaswitch88toreplace clutch operated switch 28 and which is controlled by gear shifting rods 88 in the M m of the motor vehicle. With the exception of the energizing circuit from junction 22 to coil 28, the circuits and apparatus of Figure 3 are the same as those shown in figure 1.

From junction 22, the energizing circuit continues through wire 28, junction II, wire 18, armature 28, contact 88, wire 88, junction 88, wire 88, junction II to coil 28 and through either the primary or secondary branch circuits, as previously described.

Holding coil 88 for closing armature 28 with contact 88 is connected, as shown in Figure 1. Switch 88 is connected across armature 28 and contact 88 by means of wire 12 which taps into the circuit at II and connects to contact 18 and wire I8 connected to contact I5 and junction I'I. Switch member 18 is normally held in contact with contacts 18 and I8 bya spring I8 which may be positioned on the underside of gear case cover 18, as shown.

Switch member 14 may be mounted upon the upper end of an actuating rod 8| supported by a guide member 88 to permit vertical reciprocal motion thereof for the successive opening and closing of contacts I8 and I8. The lower end of rod 8| is preferably pivoted, as shown at 82, to a rocker arm 88. Rocker arm 88 is preferably placed at right angles to shifting rod 88 and adapted to rest in V-shaped notches shown at 84 provided therein. Notches 88 are so positioned asto beinalignmentwithrockerarm when rods 88 are in the neutral position or in a podtion such that all driving connections in the transmission between the engine and running gear of the vehicle are broken. Now, as either of rods 68 is moved forward or back to place the engine in gear with the rimning gear of the vehicle, rocker arm 88 will be raised and forced out of one of the notches 84 and which action raises actuating rod 8| carrying switch member I8 upward against spring 18 to effect opening of contacts I3 and I5.

When switch 88 is opened, there is no means for energizing and closing starting switch I8, thus preventing the starting of the engine with the automatic starter, while the vehicle is in gear. Whenthegearshlftrodsareintheneutmlposition, switch 88 is closed. Then, as ignition switch 8 is closed, current will flow from battery I, as previously described, to the ignition circuit and to junction 22. From junction 22, current will also flow through wire 28, junctlon II, wire 12, contact 18, switch member 18, contact 18, wire 18, junction I'I through coil 28. as previously described, energizing the starting motor control switch. Currentwillalsoilowfromjuncflou Il through wire 88, junction 88. coil 88 and wire 81 to g ound.

The energizatlon of coil 88 attract: armature 28 and eflecu engagement of the same with contact 88. armatureuandcontactuarenowin 6 parallel with switch 88, whereupon switch 88 maybeopenedbytheshii'tingofoneoftherods 88 to place the motor vehicle in motion.

armatureuandcontactuwlllremainclosed tofeedtheencrgizlngcircuitoi'coilflinamaul0 ner previously described, until the entire contact circuit is broken simultaneously with the ignition circuitbytheopeningofswitchI. Switch88may also be employed in a semi-automatic starting system, as diagrammatically illustrated in m- 15 'Ihemualignitioncircuitfromthebatteryis againshownincludingswitcht Thestarting motor circuit including the starting motor switch l8,issimilartothatshowninl"lgure2. The control circuit for switch I8 is, in this instance, notautomatlcbutmaybeasbeingof the semi-automatic type.

From junction 22, the energizing circuit continues by way of wire 88, junction 88, wire 88, 25 armature 82, contact 88, junction I88, wire 88, switch 88, coil 28 and wire 81 to groimd. The control of switch 88 is manual and may be conveniently located in the operating compartment of the motor vehicle. Switch 88 operated as previously described in connection with shift rods 88, prevents the clodng of the energizing circuit ofcoil28oi'switch I8 untiltheonis in a neutral podtion. In this instance, switch 88 is connected from contact I8 through wire 81, coil 35 88 to junction and from contact 18 through wire 88 to ground.

An operator attempting to start his vehicle, willflrstcloeeignitionswitchiandthen switch 88. Ifgearshiftrodsflarenotintheneutral 4o podtion, switch 88 will be opened and the energizing circuit for coil 28 cannot be closed due to the normally open circuit at armature 82 and contact 88. Upon placing gear shift rods 88 in theneutralposition,switch88isclosedinaman- 45 ner previously described, allowing current to flow from junction 22, wire 88, junction 88, coil 88,- wire 81, contact I8, switch member 18, contact l8andwire88togr0und. Coil88beingthusenergized,attractsarmature82tothesame 5o withcontact. Cm'rentwillthenilowthrough junction I88, coil 88, and through wire 88 to ground. Coils 88and88arenowconnectedin parallelandbothexertanattractiveforceon armature. switchflmaybenowopenedii' desiredaswillbethecaseuponthesubsequent movement of the gear shift rods or the clutch pedal to place the vehicle in motion. Now, switch 88maybeclosedandthecircuitwillbecompleted from junction 22, wire 88, wire 88, armam ture 82, contact 84, junction I88, wire 88, switch 88, coil 28, and wire 81 to ground.

The energization of coil 28 closes switch I8, thereby energizing the starting motor circuit, as previously described. Starting motor ll then proceedstocranktheengineintheusualmanner.

Astheenginestartaswitchflmaybeopenedn by the operator, thereby decoil 28 and allowing switch I8 to open. The opening of ignitionswitch8alaodallstarting control circuits.

From the foregoing disclosure, it is seen that a motor vehicle equipped with an automatic controlled starter system of the class described, 7

cannot be driven by the engine during the starting operation, should the vehicle have been left in gear, because the starting motor circuit cannot be energized until the operator first depressed the clutch pedal or places the gearshift lever in a neutral position.

It is to be understood that the clutch-controlled switch 28 may also be employed in any of the other circuits illustrated and that the transmission controlled switch 68 may likewise be used in those systems illustrating clutch control with equal effect.

I, therefore, do not wish to limit myself to the specific arrangements of safety switch operation herein illustrated, as other arrangements incorporating changes and modifications of the above may be utilized, without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. The combination with an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle including a running gear and a movable member operable at will let controlling the transmission of power from the engine to the running gear of the vehicle, of a starting motor for cranking said engine, a

normally broken starting motor circuit, an electro-magnetic switch for closing the starting motor circuit and including a coil, a normally broken energizing circuit for said coil, means controlled by said movable member for closing said energizing circuit, means independent of said firstnamed means for maintaining said energizing circuit closed until the engine starts to operate under its own power, and further means operating independently of the coupling between the engine and its working load for rendering said energizing circuit operative should the engine stall after being properly started.

2. The combination with an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle including a running gear and a movable member operable at will for controlling the transmission of power from the engine to the running gear of the vehicle, of a starting motor for cranking said engine, a normally broken starting motor circuit, an electromagnetic switch for closing the starting motor circuit and including a coil, a normally broken.

energizing circuit for said coil, means controlled by said movable member for closing said energizing circuit, means independent of said firstnamed means for maintaining said energizing circuit closed until the engine starts to operate under its own power, additional means for making and breaking said energizing circuit, and further means operating independently of the coupling between the engine and its working load for rendering said energizing circuit operative should the engine stall after being properly started.

3. The combination with an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle including a running gear and a movable member operable at will for controlling the transmission of power from the engine to the running gear of the vehicle, of a starting motor for cranking said engine, a normally broken starting motor circuit, an electro-magnetic switch for closing the starting motor circuit and including a coil, a normally broken energizing circuit for said coil, means controlled by said movable member for closing said energizing circuit, means independent of said first-named means for maintaining said energizing circuit closed until the engine starts to onerate under its own power, additional means actuated in accordance with engine conditions for making and breaking said energizing circuit, and

further means operating independently of the coupling between the engine and its working load for rendering said energizing circuit operative should the engine stall after being properly started.

4. The combination with an internal combustion engine, of a motor vehicle including a running gear and a movable member operable at will for controlling the transmission of power from the engine to the running gear of the vehicle, of a starting motor for cranking said engine, a normally broken starting motor circuit, an electro-magnetic switch for closing the starting motor circuit and including a coil, a normally broken energizing circuit for said coil including primary and secondary branch circuits, means controlled by said movable member for closing said energizing circuit, means actuated in accordance with engine conditions for making and breaking said primary circuit, and means actuated in accordance with the current flowing in the starting motor circuit for making and breaking said secondary circuit.

5. The combination with an internal combustion engine, of a motor vehicle including a running gear and a movable member operable at will for controlling the transmission of power from the engine to the running gear of the vehicle, of a starting motor for cranking said engine, a normally broken starting motor circuit, an electromagnetic switch for closing the starting motor circuit and including a coil, a normally broken energizing circuit for said coil, means controlled by said movable member for closing said energizing circuit, means independent of said first named means for maintaining said energizing circuit closed until the engine starts to operate under its own power, a battery charging generator operatively connected to said engine, and additional means actuated in accordance with the voltage generated by said generator for making and breaking said energizing circuit.

6. The combination with an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle including a running gear and a movable member operable at will for controlling the transmission of power from the engine to the running gear of the vehicle, of an ignition circuit for said engine, a starting motor for cranking said engine, a normally broken starting motor circuit, an clectro-magnetic switch for closing said starting motor circuit and including a coil, a normally broken energizing circuit for said coil connected in parallel with said ignition circuit, a switch for making and breaking said ignition and said energizing circuits, means controlled by said movable member for closing said energizing circuit, means independent of said first-named means for maintaining said energizing circuit closed until the engine starts to operate under its own power, and further means operating independently of the coupling between the engine and its working load for rendering said energizing circuit operative should the engine stall after being properly started.

7. The combination with an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle including a running gear and a movable member operable at will for controlling the transmission of power from the enginev to the running gear of the vehicle, of an ignition circuit for said engine, a starting motor for cranking said engine, a normally broken starting motor circuit, an electromagnetic switch for closing said starting motor circuit and including a coll, a normally broken energizing circuit for said coil connected in parallel with said ignition circuit, a switch for making and breaking said ignition and said energizing circuits, means controlled by said movable member for closing said energizing circuit, means independent oi said first-named means for maintaining said energizing circuit closed until the engine starts to operate under its own power, additional means for making and breaking said energizing circuit, and further means operating independently of the coupling between the engine and its working load for rendering said energizing circuit operative should the engine stall after being properly started.

8. The combination with an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle including a running gear and a movable member operable at will for controlling the ton of power from the engine to the running gear of the vehicle, oi an ignition circuit for said engine, a starting motor for cranking said engine, a normally broken starting motor circuit, an electromagnetic switch ior closing said starting motor circuit and including a coil, a normally broken energizing circuit for said coil connected in parallel with said ignition circuit, a switch for making and breaking said ignition and said energizing circuits, means controlled by said movable member for closing said energizing circuit, means independent of said first-named means for maintaining said energizing circuit closed until the engine starts to operate under its own power, additional means actuated in accordance with engine conditions for making and breaking said energizing circuit, and further means operating independently of the coupling between the engine and its working load for rendering said energizing circuit operative should the engine stall after being properly started.

- 9. The combination with an internal combustion engine, of a motor vehicle including a running gear and a movable member operable .at will for controlling the ton oi power from the engine to the running gear of the vehicle, of an ignition circuit for said engine a starting motor for cranlcng said engine, a normally broken starting motor circuit, an electromagnetic switch for closing said starting motor circuit and including a coil,'a normally broken energizing circuit for said coil connected in parallel with said ignition circuit and including primary and secondary branch circuits, a switch for making and breaking said ignition and said energizing circuits, means controlled by said movable member for closing said energizing circuit, means actuated in accordance with engine conditons for making and breaking said primary circuit, and means actuated in accordance with the current flowing in the starting motor circuit for making and breaking said secondary circuit.

10. The combination with an internal combustion engine, of a motor vehicle including a running gear and a movable member operable at will for controlling the on of power from the engine to the running gear of the vehicle, of an ignition circuit for said engine, a starting motor for cranking said engine, a normally broken starting motor circuit, an electromagnetic switch for closing said starting motor circuit and including a coil, a normally broken energizing circuit for said coil connected in parallel with said ignition circuit, a switch for making and breaking said ignition and said energizing circuits, means controlled by said movable member for closing said energizing circuit, means independent of said first named means for maintaining said energizing circuit closed until the engine starts to operate under its own power a battery charging generator operatively connected to said engine, and additional means actuated in accordance with the voltage generated by said generator for making and breaking said energizing circuit.

11. The combination with an internal combustion engine, of a motor vehicle including a running gear and a movable member operable at will for controlling the transmission oi power from the engine to the running gear of the vehicle, of an ignition circuit for said engine, a starting motor for cranking said engine, a normally broken starting motor circuit, an electromagnetic switch ior closing said starting motor circuit and including a coil, a normally broken energizing circuit for said coil connected in parallel with said ignition circuit, a switch for making and breaking said ignition and said energizing circuits, a normally broken control circuit for closing said energizing circuit, and means controlled by said movable member for closing said control circuit and means independent of said first named means for maintaining said energizing circuit closed until the engine starts to operate under its own power.

12. The combination with an internal combustion engine of a starting motor, a normally broken circuit for said motor, means for closing said circuit upon completion of the ignition circuit, means for rendering said closing means inoperative when the engine is coupled to its working load before the starting circuit is completed and additional means operating independently of the coupling between the engine and its working load for rendering said closing means operative should the engine stall after being properly started.

13. The combination with an internal combustion engine of a starting motor, a normally broken circuit for said motor, means for closing said circuit upon the completion of the ignition circuit of said engine, clutch operating means for coupling said engine with its working load, means actuated by said clutch operating means for rendering said closing means inoperative when the engine is coupled to its working load before the starting circuit is completed and additional means operatingindependently of said clutch operating member for rendering said closing means operative should the engine stall after being properly started.

14. The combination with an internal combustion engine or a starting motor, a normally broken circuit for said motor, a clutch actuating pedal for coupling said engine with its working load, a control circuit for closing said starting motor circuit upon the completion of the ignition circuit including a switch attached to said clutch pedal and adapted to be closed when the clutch is disengaged and an additional switch adapted to be automatically closed when the clutch is disengaged for rendering said control circuit operative independent of said clutch operated switch as long as the ignition circuit is closed.

15. The combination with an internal combustion engine of a starting motor, a normally broken circuit for said motor, a gear shiIt mechanism for coupling said engine to its working load through a transmission, a control circuit for closing said starting motor circuit including a switch attached to said gear shift mechanism and adapted to be closed when the gears are in neutral and an additional switch adapted to be automatically closed when the gears are in neutral for rendering said control circuit operative until the engine starts regardless of the position of the gear shift mechanism.

16. The combination with an internal combustion engine of a starting motor, a normally broken circuit for said motor, a control circuit for closing said starting motor circuit upon the completion of the ignition circuit, means for rendering said control circuit inoperative when the engine is coupled to its working load before the starting circuit is completed, and means for rendering said control circuit operative should the engine stall after being properly started, said last-named means being independent of the coupling between the engine and its .working load.

17. In combination with an internal combustion engine and a power transmission mechanism therefor, starting mechanism for said engine, means for preventing the initial operation of the starting mechanism when the engine is connected to a load by said transmission mechanism, and means whereby after initial actuation of the starting mechanism said starting mechanism may be reactuated irrespective of the condition of the transmission mechanism.

18. In combination with an internal combustion engine having a power transmission mechanism, a starting mechanism and an electrical system including a control switch, means for automatically energizing the starting mechanism upon closure of the control switch, means for preventing such energization when the power transmission mechanism is in operative condition, and means for automatically energizing the starting mechanism in case of engine stall irrespective of the operative condition of the transmission mechanism.

19. In combination with an internal combustion engine having a power transmission mechanism, a starting mechanism and an electrical system including a control switch, means for automatically energizing the starting mechanism upon closure of the control switch, means for preventing such energization when the power transmission mechanism is in operative condition and means responsive to adjustment of the transmission mechanism into inoperative position while the control switch is closed for rendering said preventing means ineflective.

20. In combination with an internal combustion engine having a power transmission mechanism, a starting mechanism and an electrical system including a control switch, means for automatically energizing the starting mechanism upon closure of the control switch, means for preventing such energization when the power transmission mechanism is in operative condition, means responsive to adjustment of the transmission mechanism into inoperative position while the control switch is closed for rendering said preventing means ineflective, said means thereupon retaining said preventing means ineffective irrespective of the adjustment of the transmission mechanism.

21. In combination with an internal combustion engine having a variable speed power transmission mechanism and an electrical starting system, means including a control circuit for automatically energizing said starting mechanism, a manual switch for opening and closing said control circuit, a switch in series with said manual switch for opening said circuit responsive to engagement of the transmission mechanism, a switch in shunt with said transmission controlled switch, and means for closing said shunt switch in response to closure of the control circuit.

22. Incombination with an internal combustion engine having a variable speed power transmission mechanism and an electrical starting system, means including a control circuit for automatically energizing said starting mechanism, a manual switch for opening and closing said control circuit, a switch in series with said manual switch for opening said circuit responsive to engagement of the transmission mechanism, a switch in shunt with said transmission controlled switch, and an electro-magnetic coil energized from said control circuit for closing said shunt switch and holding it closed until the control circuit is broken by opening the manual switch.

GORDON B. SAYRE. 

